Dropcheck Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 With the imminent release of Mytekcontrol's 1088XEL project I have decided to reimage the SDrive and XF551 floppy disk drive boards to allow an in case storage medium. Depending on your preference you can purchase an SDriveXEL for floppy disk emulation only or go almost totally retro with a real modernized XF551 floppy disk drive pcb that will drive a compatible 3 1/2" or 5 1/4" drive mech. There's even an option to combine both SDrive and XF551 features on a single 4 layer pcb. For the die-hard DIYer there's even the option to buy the bare boards and build from the ground up.Your choice of mini-ITX case will be crucial as not all will have the required disk drive bays. The SDriveXEL option only requires a single 3 1/2" or 5 1/4" drive bay with adapter rails. The XF551XEL options all require both a 3 1/2" and a 5 1/4" drive bay or (2) 5 1/4" drive bays in the case. I have listed some compatible cases below. By no means is this list exhaustive, but it gives an idea of what is needed. MicroATX cases that also handle mini-ITX boards are also an option.Another crucial requirement is an adequate power supply to support the real 3 1/2" or 5 1/4" drive mech. I recommend an actual ATX12V standard pc power supply. A 200-300W power supply should be more than sufficient. No need to go higher. I have created a ATX12V adapter board to ease the use with the 1088XEL motherboard. It should work for either a 20 or 24 pin mainboard connector.Links to suitable mini-ITX tower cases: (I recommend this Newegg.com pc component supplier due to several years worth of business with them. However they are not the only source for mini-ITX cases by any means.) APEX MI-008 Rosewill RS-MI-01 BK One caveat is the issue of the Atari cartridge slot. That is still an ongoing issue. There's not really anything like it in the PC world, therefor I'm not aware of any pc case that has a specific design for it. There is talk of using a ribbon cable/adapter board combo to re-position it to a more convenient place on a case, but that is highly dependent on the case used. Depending on the length you might need to buffer the signals to insure against signal loss. Also there is a high degree of actual case moding needed. Currently the case Mytekcontrols is using for testing does not have such a problem, but then it also does not have the easy drive bay option for in case storage medium. Mytekcontrols is working on another option though. In the end it is your choice as to what system/case you choose. The order window is now open for the following in case storage medium options I am offering. All orders will go through my website. www.bitsofthepast.com All shipping will originate in the US. Timeline: Should take upto six to eight weeks for parts and board ordering, assembly and testing. 1. SDriveXEL Reimaged SDrive of Raster and c0nsumer fame that will fit in a 3 1/2" drive bay. Updated onboard AVR programming to a USBash compatible programmer connector. Modified LEDs and switch positions to fit new board design. Standalone version of the XF551/SDriveXEL combo board. Will connect to 1088XEL board via SIO Aux connector for all power and data signals. Fully populated and ready to go.Cost = $45.00 plus shipping2. XF551XEL Basic Reimaged XF551 mainboard to fit within a 3 1/2" drive bay connected to the 1088XEL's Aux SIO connector. It is not upgradeable.User will need to provide 8040/8050 CPU, WD1772 Floppy Controller, 2764 Eprom chip programmed with your choice of XF551 OS and a XF551 3 1/2" or 5 1/4" drive mech. User will also need to provide necessary circuitry to activate a ATX12V power supply for the drive mech or purchase ATX12V adapter board.Cost = $45.00 plus shipping3. XF551XEL w/Track Display, 4in1OS and Drive # Selector, Reset Switch & Power LED Reimaged XF551 4 layer mainboard to fit within a 3 1/2" drive bay connected to the 1088XEL's Aux SIO connector. Front facing pcb with track display, 4in1OS and drive # selector switch, reset and power led.User will need to provide 8040/8050 CPU, WD1772 Floppy Controller, 27128 Eprom chip programmed with upto 4 XF551 OS and a XF551 3 1/2" or 5 1/4" drive mech. User will also need to provide necessary circuitry to activate a ATX12V power supply for the drive mech or purchase ATX12V adapter board.Board is upgradeable to SDriveXEL addition, but user will have to purchase own parts and do the upgrade. Some SMD soldering, but mainly TH parts. Parts BOM will be published.Cost = $80.00.00 plus shipping4. XF551XEL w/Track Display, 4in1OS and Drive # Selector, Power LED, and SDriveXEL Reimaged XF551 4 layer mainboard to fit within a 3 1/2" drive bay connected to the 1088XEL's Aux SIO connector. ATX12V/EPS12V compatible adapter board to enable a normal PC case power supply for drive mech power. SDriveXEL feature set already installed. Front facing pcb with track display, 4in1OS and drive # selector switch, reset and power led and leds and control buttons for the SDriveXEL.User will need to provide 8040/8050 CPU, WD1772 Floppy Controller, 27128 Eprom chip programmed with upto 4 XF551 OS and a XF551 3 1/2" or 5 1/4" drive mech.Cost = $125.00 plus shipping5. ATX12V1088XEL Daughter Card ATX12V compatible adapter board to enable a ATX12V 24pin PC case power supply for drive mech power.Cost = $10.00 plus shipping6. Bare boards(No parts of any kind) SDriveXEL 10.00 XF551XEL Basic 10.00 XF551/SDriveXEL Combo 20.00 ATX12V 5.00 + Shipping 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 are you only doing a single run of the sDrive boards? I'm interested in one but I wont need it until I build out my second board and can't afford to purchase the board yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I don't think I'll grab one of these, but I am definitely going to pick up your mini-PBI compact flash HDD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 are you only doing a single run of the sDrive boards? I'm interested in one but I wont need it until I build out my second board and can't afford to purchase the board yet. It depends on the demand as always. I tend to buy in ten lots, since that is the lowest number where discounts in parts cost begin. I also don't end up with bookoo number of boards and parts that don't sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 FYI I've seen a couple of instances now where people have bought the ATX12V adapter misunderstanding they had to have it. The SDriveXEL option does not need the ATX12V adapter. It can run very happily on the power directly from the 1088XEL SIO port. The XF551SDriveXEL option includes the ATX12V adapter. The other options I do recommend the adapter, but it is not required if you want to use another method of powering the XF551 floppy disk drive mech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 I don't think I'll grab one of these, but I am definitely going to pick up your mini-PBI compact flash HDD. Hi Stephen that's my project you are referring to. But if Dropcheck wanted to carry that in her store she would be more than welcome to do so. Of course it's got to get through its development phase first - Michael 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Hi Stephen that's my project you are referring to. But if Dropcheck wanted to carry that in her store she would be more than welcome to do so. Of course it's got to get through its development phase first - Michael Oops - too many projects happening all at once! I'd say that is a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+917k Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 So is the drive out of an actual 551 disk drive the only drive that will work with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 So is the drive out of an actual 551 disk drive the only drive that will work with this? In short no.... but....... see this. Most standard 360K drives should work....... but..... your mileage may vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddtmw Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Do any of these options allow me to connect a 3.5" drive to a standard SIO connector on a real Atari computer? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 Do any of these options allow me to connect a 3.5" drive to a standard SIO connector on a real Atari computer? Thanks. No. For that you would need to do the 3.5" mod to a XF551 disk drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 FYI: Currently sold 3 of 10 SDriveXEL 0 of 10 XF551XEL Basic 0 of 10 XF551XEL Advanced 1 of 10 XF551SDriveXEL 1 of 10 ATX12V Adapter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Firedawg Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Hey Lenore, will the BOM be provided with the bare boards? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 Hey Lenore, will the BOM be provided with the bare boards? Mike Yes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 FYI: One more week to go: Sold count has not changed. I really hope that at least the SDrive option makes. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Just ordered a S-Drive board Yogi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom4728a Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I ordered the Sdrive board, but will probably want at least one full board with everything and likely several boards with the sdrive. just not enough funds to buy all the options i want at this time. Best Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KlasO Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Hi, I ordered the SDrive board. Kind regards Klas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Firedawg Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I have also ordered a SDriveXEL - 1088XEL compatible SDrive board. Thanks Lenore! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 With just a few days left: Currently sold6 of 10 SDriveXEL0 of 10 XF551XEL Basic0 of 10 XF551XEL Advanced1 of 10 XF551SDriveXEL1 of 10 ATX12V Adapter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 24, 2017 Author Share Posted June 24, 2017 With just two days leftCurrently sold7 of 10 SDriveXEL0 of 10 XF551XEL Basic0 of 10 XF551XEL Advanced1 of 10 XF551SDriveXEL1 of 10 ATX12V Adapter Looks like the SDriveXEL will make. I'll do a run of ATX12V boards for sure. The one XF551SDriveXEL board I think I will have enough parts to make. There's just a few parts the normal XF551 and SDriveXELboards don't share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+917k Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 I would have purchased an XF551SDriveXEL but i did not want to pay in advance and tie up my money for something so iffy and open-ended. Why didn't you do it like everybody else does and take pre-order commitments from people for these items then collect the money when you are ready to actually make the product? I will still buy a XF551XEL Basic, XF551XEL Advanced, or a XF551SDriveXEL if you ever decide to make them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 I would have purchased an XF551SDriveXEL but i did not want to pay in advance and tie up my money for something so iffy and open-ended. Why didn't you do it like everybody else does and take pre-order commitments from people for these items then collect the money when you are ready to actually make the product? I will still buy a XF551XEL Basic, XF551XEL Advanced, or a XF551SDriveXEL if you ever decide to make them. You are of course entitled to your opinion. I do believe that the 1088XEL is a real product with just a few more bugs to work out. I am anxious to see the final product as well. So far I don't think I've ever not made the product I've offered as long as the minimum number had been sold. The few times the projects have not made, the buyers saw their refunds within days of the end of the order window. The strength of the pre-pay order numbers determine whether I continue to offer the boards on my website as well. I've spoken several times before on why I moved my offerings to pre-pay on my website as opposed to pre-order. Having the pre-pay order process on my website makes it easier for me to keep track of inventory and orders. We're talking five or six hundred dollars in board and parts costs on some projects tied up here before even one dollar is received under the pre-order plan. Although most people do pay up on their commitments, there can be 10-20% who for whatever reason don't. The margins are so thin that even that small number of no-pays can drag me into the negative column. I know life happens, the excuses are real, but my credit card company doesn't take excuses any better than yours. That said, as of the end of the order window Sunday: The assembled SDriveXEL and ATX12V board projects will be made. The one assembled XF551SDriveXEL board sold will be made. Those who purchased the bare boards will be sent them when they come in. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+917k Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) That's cool, whatever floats your boat. Edited June 30, 2017 by 917k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 I do believe that the 1088XEL is a real product with just a few more bugs to work out. I am anxious to see the final product as well. Yep it is very real, and I fully intend to see this thing through to the end, even if it kills me (although I hope it doesn't come to that ). So far the problem is only related to PAL usage, NTSC is working beautifully. When the team and I figure out what the issue is, I'm sure it'll be an easy fix. So I'm hopeful that the final version will still be released this Summer as projected. Dropcheck truly amazed me as to how fast she decided to offer support for the XEL, and I want to reward that by getting my part done as promised. - Michael 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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